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Northern Rockies Dam Removal Specialist
American Rivers
Bozeman, MT, USA
Posted on Nov 26, 2024
TITLE: Northern Rockies Dam Removal Specialist
CLASSIFICATION: Director I
DEPARTMENT: Conservation
WAGE CATEGORY: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Northern Rockies Regional Director
LOCATION: Bozeman office or home office in MT, ID or WY
ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS
American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers℠. American Rivers centers the ongoing work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all that we do. The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities, and we seek to build and embody this diversity in our organization and throughout the conservation field. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that everyone brings to our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies which are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature.
JOB SUMMARY
The Northern Rockies Dam Removal Specialist is charged with developing and implementing a dam removal program by advocating for policies and funding sources that will accelerate dam removals in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming; and identifying and engaging in opportunities to remove dams whose liabilities clearly exceed their benefits. The Dam Removal Specialist ensures that the Northern Rockies dam removal program is aligned with American Rivers’ strategic plan; North Star priorities of climate change, biodiversity, and environmental justice; and American Rivers’ national communities of practice. The Dam Removal Specialist is responsible for the success of the Northern Rockies dam removal program, including developing the program, leading the program, budget planning, and fundraising; prioritizing, selecting, and overseeing on-the-ground implementation work throughout the region; strategic planning for program development; and representing American Rivers in regional collaboratives, coalitions, and negotiations. The Dam Removal Specialist will leverage projects and partnerships to reconnect rivers and build a dam removal movement throughout the Northern Rockies region. They will also engage in relevant policy advocacy and be an active member of the national Advocacy and Regional Conservation team.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Create and lead the Northern Rockies dam removal program, using the Northern Rockies dam removal feasibility study as a roadmap.
• Work with partners to create and maintain an active list of priority dams for potential removal in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, including leveraging the National Aquatic Barrier Inventory and state assessment tools to grow the pool of the highest priority for removal based on their age, structural integrity, costs versus benefits, and other relevant factors.
• Identify and secure financial support for high priority dam removal projects.
• Collaborate with local, regional, state and federal agencies; Native American tribes; nonprofit partners; community groups; and private interests to develop and grow a dam removal movement, including through the implementation of related policies and practices; fostering new project managers in partner organizations; and developing incentives for dam owners to remove dams in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.
• Represent American Rivers to external regional collaboratives that are focused on removing dams in the Northern Rockies region. Work with American Rivers Dam Removal Program and the Northern Rockies team to develop new state and/or regional collaboratives, as appropriate, to advance dam removal and aquatic connectivity.
• Selectively manage Northern Rockies dam removal projects, including activities such as managing subcontractors and project budgets, developing and implementing negotiation strategies, coalition building, grant writing, partner coordination, reporting, and landowner outreach.
• Conduct outreach activities and help develop media and scientific articles that build awareness about American Rivers, dam safety issues, and the value of healthy, connected rivers to the Northern Rockies and the country.
• Work with the Northern Rockies Regional Director and the Advancement Team to raise funds for the Northern Rockies dam removal program from individual major donors, foundations, corporate partners, and state and federal grants.
• Work with members of American Rivers’ Northern Rockies team and Dam Removal Program to identify, develop, and implement long-term river restoration strategies, identify funding and capacity needs, and align the Northern Rockies dam removal program with American Rivers’ national strategy and communities of practice.
• Actively participate in American Rivers’ Dam Removal Community of Practice, engaging in team meetings, collaborating with colleagues on project ideas and approaches, working with team leaders to develop, refine, and implement effective restoration strategies, and participating in team retreats and other related activities.
• Be an active member of the Northern Rockies team by attending regular team meetings, helping to plan and execute workshops, and participating in staff retreats. Strive to improve the team by identifying shortcomings and helping design and implement improvements.
REQUIREMENTS
• Requires proven experience and high level of competency in the following areas: independent leadership, complex multi-party negotiations, verbal and written communications, project management, fundraising, grant writing, budget management, contract execution and administration, program and budget planning, policy advocacy, strategic and critical thinking, judgment and dependability.
• Bachelor’s degree and/or professional certification in natural or physical science, engineering, environmental policy or law, planning, or management; or other related discipline and 5+ years of relevant experience or an appropriate combination of education and experience with at least 7 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
• Performs related duties as required.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will demonstrate through educational experience, professional background, and recommendations, strong skills in the following areas:
• Demonstrated experience with river restoration, and in-water infrastructure issues, including mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrated experience with coalition building and complex multi-party negotiations.
• An understanding of Northern Rockies and related federal water policy and issues, including water rights, Clean Water Act permitting compliance strategies, hydropower issues and challenges, land use policy, hydrology, ecology, restoration, and environmental flows.
• Demonstrated interest in collaborative approaches to restoring and protecting rivers.
• Demonstrated ability to research and develop complex partnerships, grant proposals, budgets, and grant reports.
• Self-motivated and able to independently lead a program and team while managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Excellent organizational skills as demonstrated by meeting deadlines, setting appropriate priorities, and working in a self-directed manner in a fast-paced environment.
• Project management and/or project leadership experience in an agency, consulting or conservation organization preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a focus on diverse audiences is
essential.
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this position is $72,000 – $78,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Full-time employee benefits include health, dental, and life insurance; a retirement plan with a 3% retirement match, training budget, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, four weeks of paid vacation, and paid sabbaticals every seven years. American Rivers offers TIAA-CREF Social Choice, including green impact, as an investment option.
COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY
Our community’s core values motivate us to Lead with Collaboration and Trust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. American Rivers offers staff professional development and training opportunities, engages in equitable hiring and retention practices, has taken the Green 2.0 pay equity pledge and participates in the transparency report, provides “no meetings” weeks, and hosts People of Color, Accessibility, LGBTQAI+, Women’s Leadership, Parents and Caregivers, and DEIJ affinity groups and committees led by staff and board members.
American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources department at 202-243-7550. Please note that one week’s advance notice is preferred.
Applicant must be legally allowed to work as an employee in the United States.
American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Candidates of all personal and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply